Charlene Valletta

1989-2013; Charlene was born in Florida and the family moved to Farwell in 1990. She attended Farwell Schools until 2001 when we moved to Clare and there she finished middle and high school.

Charlene’s life revolved around animals, art and reading. She was a member of 4H and in her last year of showing rabbits at the fair she won best of show. She won many ribbons and trophies from different rabbit shows.

When she was a little older, she became the owner of a Basenji dog named Zumi. He was her pride and joy. For several months they traveled around to different dog shows to show Zumi. They did very well together. She also volunteered over 40 hours of her time to help bring the Gateway Imagination Park in Clare a reality. She put a lot of work into the little grey elephant slide.

Charlene moved to the Detroit area and found work as a groomer at two grooming businesses. She made some wonderful friends at both jobs. As a groomer at Fuzzy Friends, one of her jobs was to groom Mac a therapy dog from St. John Providence hospital. That is the same hospital that Charlene was taken to.

Charlene is survived by her mother Beth Valletta of Clare – her sister Sherry Snowden and Eric of Royal Oak – Her sister Jeanette DeWulf and Todd of Farwell, and her 3 nieces Hannah, Sarah, and Leah. Her Brother Adam Valletta of Gladwin, Half sister Amber Valletta, and several Aunts, Uncles, and cousins from out of state. Also survived by a special family friend Dena Schaar and many wonderful friends downstate, her best friend Jamie Hipkins from Clare, and a very special friend of Charlene’s and now also to our family is TJ Cetanyan of St. Clair Shores who is now taking care of Zumi.

Charlene’s zest for life and feistiness will be missed by all. As her neice Hannah age 8 said, “Have fun grooming all the dogs in heaven.”

A memorial service will be held on October 19th at 11:00 am at Trinity Baptist Church 600 W. Main St. Farwell, MI 48622
Her family and friends would like to remind everyone to please wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle.